Lurcher

The Lurcher is a specific type of mixed breed dog rather
than a breed of its own; a combination of any type of sighthound mixed with any
dog that is not a sighthound. This can have a variety of different results and
although Lurcher-type dogs are typically long, lean, and leggy, they can vary quite
a bit in size and structure, as well as in color, coat type, and in the shape
and color of their eyes. They are typically quiet, gentle dogs which, with the
proper exercise, can thrive in apartments as well as in larger homes, but they
do have an extremely high prey drive and in some cases may not be able to be
trusted around smaller animals.

Purpose

Hunting

Date of Origin

Middle Ages

Ancestry

Sight-hound

Lurcher Health

Average Size

Height: 22-28 inchesWeight: 60-70 lbs

Height: 22-28 inchesWeight: 60-70 lbs

Major Concerns

Heat Stroke

Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat

Minor Concerns

Hypothyroidism

Foot and Toenail Injuries

Eye Conditions (Cataracts, Lens Luxation)

Occasional Diagnoses

Osteosarcoma

Occasional Tests

Eye Examinations

Blood And Urine Analysis

X-rays or other radiographic imaging

Bone Biopsy

Lurcher Breed History

A Lurcher, rather than being an actual breed of dog, is a specific category of mixed breed dog, the combination between any breed of sighthound and any other breed of dog, although the shepherding breeds, hunting dogs, and terrier breeds are the most common crosses. While accidental breeding between sighthounds and other dogs have probably been going on as long as there have been sighthounds, most accounts indicate that the intentional breeding of the dog that we call the Lurcher started in Great Britain in response to laws enacted during the Middle Ages that prevented the common people from owning sighthounds. In order to skirt these laws, the common people frequently bred their dogs with the sighthounds, giving them mixed-breed offspring that were not illegal to own, but still possessed the speed and prey drive needed to effectively hunt and kill game for the dinner table. While Great Britain is most likely the origin of the name Lurcher and may be the largest contributor to the Lurcher population, restricting ownership of sighthounds to nobility also occurred historically in certain parts of Spain, which may have led to the breeding of Lurcher-type dogs there as well. A large number of Lurchers include Greyhound DNA as their sighthound contribution, but Lurchers with contributions from Whippets, Irish Wolfhounds, and Salukis are also popular. None of the major Kennel Clubs recognize the Lurcher as an independent breed, and no standard has been developed, but there are multiple dog shows and competitions in Great Britain that feature Lurcher dogs, usually alongside Terriers.

Lurcher Breed Appearance

The appearance of the Lurcher dog can vary quite a bit from
dog to dog. Most of these dogs will have the long, lean shape of the sighthound,
along with their deep chest, and powerful, muscular legs. They have heads that
tend to be rather long and narrow in shape with muzzles that are long and either
straight or tapered. Because there are a number of crosses that can legitimately be called a Lurcher dog, there can
be quite a bit of difference between dogs when it comes to size, color, facial
features, and coat quality. The most popular Lurcher combinations generally end
up being between twenty-two and twenty-eight inches at the shoulder and between
sixty and seventy pounds, but that can vary based on parentage. While the sighthounds
typically have a very short, single-layer coat, some of the dogs that they have
been mixed with have very different coats, which they can pass on to their offspring.

Eye Color Possibilities

Blue

Hazel

Brown

Amber

Nose Color Possibilities

Blue

Black

Brown

Isabella

Coat Color Possibilities

Brindle

Sable

White

Pied

Silver

Blue

Fawn

Isabella

Cream

Red

Brown

Gray

Black

Coat Length

ShortMediumLong

Coat Density

SparseNormalDense

Coat Texture

StraightWiryWavyCurlyCorded

Lurcher Breed Maintenance

The Lurcher is typically a fairly easy dog to maintain,
although this can vary somewhat, depending on the breeds that were combined to
develop your particular canine. In most cases, bathing will only be required a
few times a year, and overly frequent bathing may even strip natural oils from
the coat of this dog, particularly if they inherited a double-layer weather
resistant coat from their non-sighthound parent. Those that are mixed with dogs
like Bull Terriers will retain that short, single-layer coat which can
typically be kept clean and healthy with weekly brushings with a rubber curry comb
or a gentle wipe down with a moist towel. Many of the Shepherding dogs may
contribute a double layer coat which can sometimes be thicker and require more
grooming and dogs with wire-haired Terrier influence may have a coat that
requires occasional stripping.

Brushes for Lurcher

Pin Brush

Slicker Brush

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

DailyWeeklyMonthly

Lurcher Temperament

The Lurcher tends to retain the gentle, good-natured quality
that you will find in most sighthound breeds, but are also typically fun-loving
canines with a great deal of affection for their family. They are typically
well-mannered, except for their habit of stealing food that doesn’t belong to
them, and they are known for their exceptionally strong prey drive, particularly
those with Terrier influence as well as sight-hound. They do tend to do fairly
well with children, but how well depends a great deal on the influence of the non-sighthound
contribution. Its safest for both child and canine to ensure that all
interactions between children and canines are closely supervised. Lurchers are
not typically recommended for homes with other small pets such as cats, rodents,
or even other smaller dogs, unless they can be socialized early as their prey
drive may cause them to give chase to other animals and sometimes even kill
them.

Lurcher Activity Requirements

Lurcher type dogs seem to be universally active in short
spurts, much like their sighthound ancestors. While they require a place to get
a little running in on a daily basis, they have a tendency to be real couch potatoes
at home. Along with running and walking, an activity that should never be done without a leash due to this dog’s highly-developed
prey drive, your Lurcher may enjoy and even excel at activities such as lure
coursing and agility training. They also tend to be very quiet compared to many
breeds and even the larger Lurchers can make suitable pets for people with
smaller living spaces, provided they get enough activity during the day.